Tone amplifier for musical instruments



Nov. 14, 1950 A. DE LUCA 2,530,155

TONE AMPLIFIER FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Nov. 25, 1949 2sheets-sheet 1 A745597' uz-H .INVENTOR Nov. 14, 1950 A. DE LUCA2,530,155

TONE AMPLIFIER FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Nov. 25, 1949 v 2sheets-sham 2 lug.

Eleve/QT DE LULF/ INVENTOR wwf ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 14, 1950 TONEAMPLIFIER FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Albert De Luca, New York, N. Y.

Application November 25, 1949, Serial No. 129,221

7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to mouthpieces for use with musicalinstruments, and more particularly to mouthpieces of the type used incon- `junction with musical instruments of the socalled Woodwind type.

YAn object of the present invention lies in the provision of amouthpiece in which tonal qualities may be obtained which aresubstantially different from those obtained when using a conventionalmouthpiece.

Another object herein, lies in the provision of a mouthpiece the use ofwhich Will enable the musician to produce a tone of large volume Withoutthe necessity of overblowing the instrument, thereby distorting the tonequality to an objectionable degree.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a mouthpiece in which thetone quality may be varied by the musician without removing themouthpiece from the mouth.

A further object lies in the provision of a mouthpiece, having the abovementioned qualities which may be used in conjunction With conventionalreeds, and the standard tuning barrel of instruments of this type.

A still further object of the invention lies in the provision of amouthpiece having the above mentioned qualities in which the cost offabrication may be of a relatively low order with consequent wide saleand distribution.

, A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that a portion ofthe tone chamber may be comprised of a flexible membrane, capable ofexpansion under increased pressure of the air column.

Another feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the,column of air from the lips of the musician is introduced into the tonechamber of the mouthpiece at a considerably higher velocity than in thecase where a conventional mouthpiece is employed, thereby permittinggreater turbulence within the tone chamber.

A These objects and features, as well as other incidental objects andadvantages will become more fully apparent during the course of thefollowing specication and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing similar reference characters designate correspondingparts throughout the several views:

' Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a rst embodiment of theinvention, in position on the tuning barrel of an instrument.

Figure 2 is a bottom elevational view of the embodiment detached fromthe tuning barrel with the reed and ligature removed.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal central sectional view of theembodiment.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view as seen from the plane4--4 on Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectional View similar to that ofFigure 4 showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of theinvention, in position on the tuning barrel of an instrument.

Figure 'I is a bottom elevational view of the embodiment detached fromthe tuning barrel with the reed and ligature removed.

Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal central sectional view of theembodiment.

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view as seen from the plane9-9 on Figure 6.

Turning now to the first embodiment, the device generally indicated byreference character I9, has been shown in a form suitable for use with asaxophone. It will be readily understood, however, by those skilled inthe art to which the present invention pertains that this particularmouthpiece is by Way of example, the device being capable of readyadaptation for use with a clarinet with merely the usual modification.

The device IIJ comprises broadly a tone chamber I2, a mouth engagingportion I4, and supple.- mental chambers IS and I8.

The tone chamber I2 may be of a conventional type having a bore 20 ofsubstantially constant diameter. As may be seen on Figures 1 and 3, itis engageable with the tuning barrel 22 of the instrument in a wellknown manner, a cork gasket member 24 providing a leakproof sealtherebetween. The lay 26 provides a seat for the reed 28, which ismaintained in place by the ligature member 30.

The mouth engaging portion I4 has external configurations similar tothose of a conventional mouthpiece, thereby allowing the new user of thedevice to retain his original lip embouchure. It includes the angularlydisposed upper lip engaging surface 32 and side surfaces 34 and 36. Theopening in the forward portion of the lay for the entrance of the aircolumn may also be of conventional design, being bounded by the curvededge 38, the rectilinear edges 40 and 42, and the edge 44 of the surface32. As in the case of a standard mouthpiece the lay is curved Slightlyin a direction away from the tongue 4S of the reed 28 to facilitatevibrating thereof.

The interior of the mouth engaging portion I4,

is provided with a fluted guide 50 preferably formed integral with theother portions of the mouthpiece. As may be best seen in Figures 2 and 3the guide portion 50 includes a rectilinear portion 52 the plane ofwhich is substantially parallel to the lay of the mouthpiece, followedby a gently curved portion 54 leading into another rectilinear portion56 disposed substantially at a 60o angle with respect 'to the lay. Theflutes 15,0 are preferably three in number andmay be omitted if desiredas they principally serve an ornamental function. It lwill be readilyunderstood that the guide serves to confine the column'of'air introducedinto the instrument to a narrow channel immediately above the reed. Asthe cross-sectional area of the channel is considerably less than thatof the tone chamber inthe standard mouthpiece, the velocity of the aircolumn is consequently of an appreciably 'higher velocity, and lowerpressure when entering therein.

The supplementalzcharrrbers 1|.'6 yand .i8 are :substantially alike in.purpose .and structure, .and consequently, they avoid needlessrepetition, a description of the chamber i6 will serve to also describechamber was-well.

The .chamber IIt Ais generally conical in shape, and is preferablyformed integral with the other portions of the mouthpiece. "The chamberintersects the tone chamber |2 substantially in a circle Aat a pointjust juxtaposing the rectilinear portion 56 of the `guide "50. The exactinternal shape of the chambers is optional depending upon the type randamount of turbulence it is desired to create therein. As has vbeenmentioned the preferred embodiment features `a chamber of substantiallyconical shape, having a spherical terminus '58.

Turning nowto the second embodiment of the invention in which to avoidneedless repetition, certain of the parts corresponding to those of thefirst embodiment have been designated by similar reference characterswith the Vaddition of the prefix 1.

The second embodiment, as may be seen on Figure 5, differs from thefirst embodiment principally in the structure of the chambers H6 and H8.These chambers, unlike those of the first embodiment are not formedintegral with the tubular portion .i2 ofthe mouthpiece, but instead areformed from a thin lmembrane of .ductile material such as thin rubber.It will be understood that the chambers H6 `and IIB shown on Figure 5are of an exaggerated thickness for purposes of clarity. chambers .HEand llc to .be expanded under .the pressure of the air column introducedtherein. By the use of the flexible chamber, the shape of the chambersmay be altered Iwhile playing by orally increasing or decreasing thepressure of the air column.

The membranes forming the chambers are secured to the tone chamber l2 byany suitable means such as rubber cement.

Operation The operation of the device is readily understandable from astudy of the drawing. The column of air orally introduced in the normalmanner passes over the tongue 46 of the reed 23 and strikes therectilinear portion 52. It is then subsequently guided through thenarrow channel formed by this portion and the thicker portion 50 of thereed, rfherercm i-t emerges at a relatively high velocity and reducedpressure, into This membrane permits the the tone chamber I2. At thislpoint a turbulence is set up, e, portion of the air column passingdirectly into the tuning barrel 22, as in the conventional mouthpiece,While the remaining portion passes into and out of the chambers i6 andI8. This portion of the air column is thus set into a vibration whichtends to reinforce the other portion, thereby creating tonal qualitiesdifferent from that obtained from the ordinary mouthpiece.

It may thus lbe seen that I have inventeda novel and highly usefulimprovement for use with saxophones, clarinets and other Woodwinds ofsimilar type. Through its use a wide variety of tonal effects areobtained, with a brilliance and volume heretofore unobtainable.

Turning now to the third embodiment of the invention, to avoid needlessrepetition, certain of the parts corresponding to those of the first andsecond embodiments have been designated by similar reference characterswith the additional prefix 2.

vmay be seen on Figures 6 to'9, inclusive, the third embodiment differsfrom the first embodiment principally in the provision of means toadjust the guide |50. As it is often desirable lto change the ton'aleffectbeing produced during the course of a particular imusicalselection, such adjustment should be made without the Vnecessity ofchanging to another mouthpiece. Byemploying the third embodiment suchchange is unnecessary.

To accomplish this end the guidelll lis .formed separately from Itheother portions of the mouthpiece, and vis slidably disposed bymeans of apin |62 which is mounted on the extremity |64 of the tongue |66, whichin turn is adjustably mounted on the upper surface of the .mouthpiecebyzmeans of a set screw |68. .A finger engaging :portion |10 permits ofrapid adjustment, :and if desired the set screw may be left nfan.untightened position during playing, thereby 'facilitating adjustment.

Since the above described structure is Vsodisposed as Yto interfere withproper positioning of a conventional type of ligature, it is necessaryin the case of the third embodiment to provide a ligature of somewhataltered structure. The 1igature |12 `differs from the conventional typein that it does not extend completely about the mouthpiece, but isformed inftwo portions |14 and |16. The portions |14 and |16 aresubstantially similar in configuration, and are secured together by theconventional tightening screws |18. Extending from ropposed surfaces ofthe mouthpiece are two pairs of ligature engaging pins |80, which aredetachably connectable Vwith corresponding edges of openings |82. Theligature, when properly positioned, will accordingly receive theequivalent tension as compared with the conventional or unitary type ofligature.

Referring lagain to the means for adjusting the guide, I have found thatmerely sliding the same by hand provides adequate sensitivity ofadjustment. In the case of larger instrument mouthpieces, however, suchas the baritone saxophone, bass Vclarinets and saxophones, or the like,where a larger `range of adjustment is possible, the means may ifdesired be provided with screw thread adjustment (not shown).

I wish it to be. understood thatI do not desire to 'be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the craft.

I claim:

1. A mouthpiece for use with single reed wood- Wind musical instrument,comprising a tone 5 'hr chamber, a mouth engaging portion and aplurality of supplemental chambers each extending laterally of thelongitudinal axis of the tone chamber, said supplemental chambers beingadapted to Vary the tone quality by permitting greater turbulence and asustained tone coming from said musical instrument.

2. A mouthpiece for use with single reed Woodwind musical instrumentsincluding a tone chamber, a mouth engaging portion and at least onesupplemental chamber integral with the tone chamber, said supplementalchamber being adapted to produce -a sustained tone When said mouthpieceis used in connection with said instrument; said mouth engaging portionhaving a guide including a first rectilinear portion, a curved portionand a second rectilinear portion.

3. A mouthpiece for use with single reed Wood- Wind musical instrumentsincluding: a tone chamber, a mouth engaging portion and a pluv rality ofsubstantially conical, supplemental chambers, each extending from thetone chamber and having a spherical terminus merging With the tonechamber to permit the production of a tone of large volume; said mouthengaging portion having a guide including a first rectilinear portion, acurved portion, and a second rectilinear portion; said rst rectilinearportion being disposed parallel to the lay of said mouthpiece.

4. A mouthpiece for use with a single reed woodwind musical instrumentcomprising: 4a tone chamber, a mouth engaging portion and a plurality ofsubstantially conical supplemental chambers each extending from the tonechamber and having a spherical terminus merging with the tone chamber topermit an accumulation of increased volume of air therein and theformation of a sustained tone in the instrument; said mouth engagingportion having a guide including a rst rectilinear portion, a curvedportion, and a second rectilinear portion; said supplemental chamberjoining said tone chamber at a point juxtaposing said second rectilinearportion of said guide.

5. A mouthpiece for use with a single reed Woodwind musical instrumentcomprising: a tone chamber, a mouth engaging portion having a guideincluding a rst rectilinear portion, a curved portion and a Secondrectilinear portion; a plurality of supplemental chambers each closed atone end and at its other end joining said tone chamber at a pointjuxtaposing said second rectilinear portion of said guide; and means toadjust said guide Within said tone chamber.

6. A mouthpiece vfor use with a single reed Woodwind musical instrumentcomprising a tone chamber, a mouth engaging portion and a pair ofsupplemental substantially conical shaped tone chambers, and a guideincluding a rectilinear portion, each of said supplemental tone chambersintersecting the tone chamber substantially in a circle at a pointjuxtaposing the rectilinear portion of said guide, said supplementalchambers being closed at one end and adapted to contain additionalvolumes of air and create turbulence and sustained tone of air passingthrough the mouthp1ece.

7. A mouthpiece according to claim 6 in which each of said supplementaltone chambers has a spherical terminus merging With the rectilinearportion of said guide.

ALBERT DE LUCA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,504,387 Shane Aug. l2, 19241,621,608 Slechta Mar. 22, 1927 2,397,593 Brilhart Apr. 2, 1946 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 655,634 France Dec. 18, 1928

